The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes earned college football’s biggest win over the weekend, beating the No. 1 Texas Longhorns 14-7.
Ryan Day's program should be No. 1 when the new polls are released.
PFF quickly dolled out individual grades for the game, and unsurprisingly the defense led the way, although the Julian Sayin-Carnell Tate connection earned praise.
Here’s a look at the top-graded players (min. 20 snaps):
Jermaine Matthews Jr., cornerback - 80.0 (84.4 coverage grade)
Unsurprisingly, Jermaine Matthews Jr. picked up a massive 84.4 coverage grade after registering a key interception in the win over Texas.
The 5-foto-11, 190-pound defensive back had a big day Saturday.
Tywone Malone Jr., defensive tackle - 74.3
The 6-foot-4, 309-pound defensive tackle was a space-eater against Texas, and while he registered no tackles and one quarterback hurry, his impact was a key to slowing the Longhorns offense.
Sonny Styles, linebacker - 73.0 (80.2 tackling grade)
Styles had seven total tackles (three solo) in the 14-7 victory.
Carnell Tate, wide receiver - 72.5
Tate’s touchdown catch with a defender draped all over him proved to be the difference in the game.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound receiver finished with two catches for 49 yards and a score, but the 40-yard “double-catch” touchdown was massive.
CJ Donaldson, running back - 72.0
The Texas front seven is formidable, so it was tough-sledding all day.
Donaldson finished with 20 touches for 76 yards and a score.
Jaylen McClain, safety - 71.6 (84.6 tackling grade)
McClain finished third in tackles with eight, but led the team in solo tackles and earned high marks for his takedowns.
Julian Sayin, quarterback - 70.5
Sayin’s debut wasn’t flashy, but he didn’t look overwhelmed and he made the plays he needed to down the stretch.
The former five-star recruit was a sound 13-of-20 for 126 yards and a touchdown.